Chapter 7: Envelopes

The sky was a bright, blueish white, with clouds stretched out like a blank canvas. It was a perfect morning.

Grabbing his backpack, Ray slid down the handrail of the stairs and sprinted toward school.

"You forgot your lunch, dummy! And don't forget to meet Principal Ken!"

Yana shouted from the flat. Ray groaned, ran back to grab his lunch, and took off again.

"What's the rush about?"

Yana wondered to herself.

Ray looked around as he jogged down the street. The roads were still mostly empty, only a few people were out.

"These humans are really lazy,"

Ray made a quick detour to a bakery.

"Two cream buns, please,"

he ordered. The bakery was filled with the comforting scent of fresh bread, and the sunlight streaming through the windows made Ray's hair gleam.

"Oooo, you're quite the energetic kid,"

said the owner—a bald old man wearing square sunglasses. Despite his age, his posture was straight and firm, like fine-aged wine.

He packed up two fresh, oven-warm cream buns—far better than the pre-wrapped ones from convenience stores.

Ray swiped his card, paid, and dashed out again.

——————————————————

location: Valorian University

Upon reaching his classroom, Ray quietly placed the cream buns inside Mizuko's desk drawer. The classroom was empty.

He walked to the window, opened it slightly, and let the cool breeze mix with the warm sunlight. Perfect.

Placing his backpack down, Ray turned and left the classroom, heading straight for the upper floors.

He climbed past the fourth, then the fifth, then the sixth, and continued all the way to the eleventh floor—without looking even slightly exhausted.

When he reached his destination, he knocked on a door.

Just then, someone tapped his head from behind.

Ray turned to see a tall man with scars across his face. His skin was the color of butter cookies, his slicked-back white hair and neatly groomed beard still held a few strands of black. He looked to be in his late fifties. He wore a well-fitted black suit, a white shirt, and a black tie with tiny white dots. On his right hand's ring finger was a silver ring embedded with a violet crystal shaped like a bird.

"Quazar,"

the man said, his deep voice carrying amusement.

"You could've taken the lift. Why the stairs?"

"Nah, still gotta work out, even if life gets easier,"

Ray said with a smirk.

"I think you know what I mean, right?"

The man chuckled.

"Hohoho, very well, Quazar. You must have come for the Envelope."

"Saying no would be a lie."

"Come in."

The office was a blend of royalty and modern aesthetics. A grand desk with intricate golden patterns stood in the center, a golden wyvern dragon statue placed on top. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a massive monitor was mounted next to a large glass window.

Principal Kenshinton walked to one of the bookshelves, searching for something. After a moment, he pulled out an envelope.

"Here, young Quazar. This contains the records of your father from when he was in this academy,"

he said with a laugh.

Ray took the envelope and grinned.

"The fact that you still have this makes me want to say wow, Mr. Kenshinton."

The principal chuckled.

"I was just as surprised when I found out the previous principal had kept it safe. Your father was a very special person, after all. Hohoho!"

Then, Kenshinton pulled out another envelope—this one red.

"Here, Take this before you leave,"

he added. Ray accepted it, then turned to leave.

"Anyway, I'm heading back to class."

As he walked away, he couldn't help but smile.

———————————————————

A few students had arrived and were chatting about their first day back after a long vacation.

Ray entered the room. A few students glanced at him before looking away. He sighed and took his seat, resting his head on the desk.

Before long, the classroom filled up. The noise of chatter and laughter filled the air.

Mizuko entered, her presence immediately drawing attention. A small crowd gathered around her as she settled into her seat.

As she opened her desk drawer to put away her stationery, she paused.

Inside was a small paper bag.

Curious, she peeked inside and found two warm, freshly baked cream buns.

She glanced toward Ray, but the crowd around her blocked her view.

"Maybe it's not a good idea to thank him now,"

she thought. The school bell rang, signaling the start of class.

Professor Archwood entered the room—still dressed in his sleeping pajamas. He was floating about a foot above the ground, hugging a panda plushie.

The students immediately started giggling.

Raising his left eyebrow, Archwood slowly lifted his arms. The panda plushie drifted away as he did.

Then, with an exaggerated wave, he chanted

"Oompa Loompa—Abra Kedabra! I am Archwood!"

Smoke filled the classroom, and when it cleared, Archwood was now wearing his usual cloak over his suit.

"Ahem! My dear minions,"

he said dramatically, raising an eyebrow again.

"Today, we shall be learning about… chocolate pie!"

One student blinked in confusion.

"Wait, what???"

Archwood smirked.

"I meant Popatoe Mopatoe."

The entire classroom erupted into laughter.

After a moment, he motioned for silence.

"Alright, alright. Today, we'll be learning about Archons and Archonic Elements."

The room buzzed with excitement.

"There are nine Archonic Elements,"

he began.

"But in this era, we only have eight Archons. These elements are—Pyro, Hydro, Umbra, Helio, Aero, Geo—"

Just as he said Geo, Ray flinched slightly.

"—Dendra, Cryo, and Electro."

Then he continued,

"These powers were created millions of years ago. Except for Geokinesis. Geokinesis was created by the previous Judge of Life and Death. The other eight elements were discovered during the Age of Celestara.

That era was said to be the greatest blessing given to mortals by the Absolute. But mortals, being what they are, started wars to prove who was the greatest."

He paused for dramatic effect before adding,

"The Sovereigns. The ones who created the Archonic powers. The first Archons of each element. They were the ones who ended the wars and started the Archon System we know today."

"Were they the strongest Archonic power users?"

Shin asked.

"Of course!"

Archwood scoffed.

"They created those powers. They knew every technique, every secret."

the bald student snorted.

"Are those Stinkreigns even alive today?"

Archwood grinned.

"Yes yes, they are. And every single one of them has a bigger banana than you, Small Banana Man."

The class burst into laughter. Archwood clapped his hands.

"Alright, focus! More importantly, the Valoria Royal Banquet is just around the corner!"

The students cheered in excitement. Ray, however, tilted his head. Then, Archwood laughed.

"Professor Kenshinton invites everyone to join! Bwahahahaha!"

Professor Archwood continued his lecture on Archons and their history, his animated storytelling keeping the class engaged.

As the bell rang for lunch break, students eagerly rushed out to the cafeteria. Ray, however, remained in his seat, quietly pulling out his lunch box and eating quickly. The classroom soon emptied, leaving behind an atmosphere of calm.

Just then, Mizuko approached him.

"Thanks for the cream buns,"

she said, offering a small smile. Ray barely looked up.

"I was just returning the favor,"

he replied flatly. Mizuko tilted her head, still smiling.

"Did you like them?"

Ray paused for a moment before answering.

"No."

Another brief silence, then he added,

"Disgusting."

Mizuko stood frozen, her expression shifting from warmth to disbelief. She turned away, muttering in her head,

"How can someone be so rude? I just helped him yesterday!"

With an irritated sigh, she walked out of the classroom, leaving Ray alone. He finished his lunch, then turned his attention to the two envelopes on his desk.

Opening the red envelope first, he skimmed through the contents. It was an invitation to the Valorian Royal Banquet—a grand celebration commemorating the kingdom's struggles for freedom and power. Without a second thought, Ray tossed the invitation into the trash can.

He didn't bother opening his father's envelope yet. Instead, he leaned back and closed his eyes, resting his head on his desk.

——————————————————

just before the lunch break ended, a sharp knock came from the window beside Ray.

He groggily opened his eyes and turned toward the sound. Standing on the window ledge was a massive white crow, nearly as big as Ray himself. Its blood-red eyes gleamed ominously, and a black string necklace tightly hung around its neck.

Ray sighed and slid open the window.

"Greetings, Young Quazar,"

the crow spoke in a deep, eerie voice.

"I trust you have been enjoying this period of peace?"

"Get to the point,"

Ray said, rubbing his temples.

The crow tilted its head dramatically.

"The Great Empress of Evyon has ordered that her Greatest Dominator shall attend the Valorian Royal Banquet."

Ray clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Tell your Great Highness to stop being so dramatic."

The crow's piercing gaze didn't waver.

"So, shall you attend... or shall you refuse?"

it asked ominously. Ray let out a long sigh.

"Fine. I'll go. Urghh."

Without another word, the crow flapped its wings and vanished into the sky.

Ray groaned, dragging himself over to the trash can to retrieve the discarded invitation.

"I really hate that crow."